ActionSA Accuses Minister Dean Macpherson of Racism, Demands Apology
- ActionSA's KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Zwakele Mncwango slammed Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson for alleged racism
- Tensions between the party and the Democratic Alliance reached a head at the Durban Magistrates Court over a sewage problem
- Mncwango alleged that Macpherson called black people a derogatory name
Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, Parliamentary Proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.
Source: Getty Images
DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson was accused of allegedly calling black people hobos during a clash between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA at the Durban Magistrates' court on 24 July 2025.
According to TimesLIVE, ActionSA's KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Zwakele Mncwango accused Macpherson of calling black people hobos during a tense incident between the DA and ActionSA. Both parties had taken the City of eThekwini to court over a sewerage problem in Durban. Macpherson allegedly referred to a group of black people as hobos.
ActionSA demands an apology
Mncwango demanded that Macpherson issue an apology for his statements and said that if he failed to do so, he must accept that he was racist. He said that the words were deeply offensive and dehumanising. Mncwango, in a letter to Macpherson, said that the language he allegedly used was a racial affront. He said that even if Macpherson did not mean harm, the words have caused real pain.
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Mncwango said dismissing ActionSA members as hobos based on how they looked was undignified, unacceptable, and racist. Mncwango said that Macpherson was obsessed with ActionsA and its leadership. He added that he would not allow any racism against black people.
Source: Getty Images
Recent news about ActionSA
- ActionSA gave the Government of National Unity a review for its first year and gave it four F's for poor performance
- The party's president, Herman Mashaba, said the R700 million National Dialogue was a wasteful exercise
- ActionSA said in June 2025 that it would vote against Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero when he faced a motion of no confidence
- Former ActionSA member Bongani Baloyi, who is now a Mkhonto Wesizwe Party member, said that ActionSA and DA members wanted to join the party
- The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, supported calls made by ActionSA Member of Parliament Dr Kgosi Letlape, who called on officials to make use of the public healthcare system
Racism in South Africa
Apartheid’s legacy still looms large, leaving South Africa grappling with deep-rooted segregation, discrimination, and inequality. This is most visible in the country’s vast economic divide. A 2022 World Bank report labelled South Africa the most unequal nation in the world.
According to the report, 10% of the population controls 80% of the country’s wealth, with Black South Africans represented among the poorest. The report directly attributes these inequalities to race.
In recent years, the country has witnessed a string of racially charged incidents. Among them: the segregation of learners at a school in Schweizer-Reneke, racial tensions at Clifton Beach, and the racialised response to the deaths of pupils at Hoërskool Driehoek.
The Cabinet has adopted the National Action Plan (NAP) to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. The plan is built on the belief that, because people created these problems, they can be solved by people too.
The NAP also calls for reviewing and changing laws to protect victims better, promote equality, and strengthen democracy and the rule of law in South Africa.
ActionSA submits bill to amend Constitution
In a related article, Briefly News reported that ActionSA submitted a notice to table a bill that seeks to change the constitution. The party wants the cabinet to be trimmed.
The party's parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, said that the National Assembly must be given oversight on the appointment of ministers. He also said that the role of deputy ministers must be abolished. South Africans debated on the notice. Some agreed, and others strongly disagreed with some of the proposed changes.
Source: Briefly News
